How to Raise Your Skeletons

Chapter 118: The National Treasure of the Aranballon Kingdom (3)

Silence filled the hall.

“…”

Some were receiving medical treatment while others tried to calm their ragged breathing. But everyone was definitely listening.

“Why did the soldiers attack us, even though James was the one who stepped out of the circle?”

“Look at James. He’s perfectly fine. It’s like he wasn’t attacked at all.”

Vladimir Lodygin’s speculation was sharp.

And then…

[Team members may select a ‘treasure’ and escape the Giant Fortress at any time.]

[Escaping team members will pass Theme 2.]

An exit appeared as if to flaunt itself. No, it wasn’t an exit. It was a temptation—a very blatant one at that.

“Hmm.”

My throat felt tight. My chest, too, felt as suffocated as my clogged throat.

There’s no pretext to stop them, is there?

I had to find justification to stop them from leaving me. Because I chose them? Or because I was the team leader? Those reasons were nothing more than a temporary pledge of loyalty. They had no obligation to stay, and it would be naive to expect them to.

Moreover…

I suddenly looked at someone—the woman with a swollen face, still being carried on Kane’s back, with barely open eyes. Olivia. That one at least had a 99% chance of going outside. No, I could say it was 100%.

—Whoosh!

At that moment…

“From now on.” The Spear of Judgment stepped toward the door, lowering his weapon.

—Step, step.

He walked forward slowly and stopped at the edge of the pattern. His broad back and power-filled arms emanated an extraordinary aura.

“…Anyone who crosses this line without permission,” he said, “will face judgment by my spear. If you’re ready to die, then cross.”

Wow. I was internally astonished at the fact that he was helping me to this extent. It probably wasn’t just because he was the vice leader but because that was who he was—a person who didn’t tolerate injustice such as murder or betrayal. I inwardly expressed my gratitude to the Spear of Judgment.

“I agree as well.” Olena also stepped forward, holding her staff. “Hoon accepted us into his team when we were likely to drop out early. If you’re a hunter with any sense of morality, you won’t abandon him in a situation like this.”

—Tap!

She boldly planted her staff on the ground after walking toward the Spear of Judgment.

“Hm. So is that what you’d call Oxford pride?” As if finding it amusing, Vladimir Lodygin stroked his chin with his left hand—to be exact, the hand not holding his staff. “Well, it makes sense. Honestly, I respect the team leader’s ability more than anything. Plus, there’s no guarantee that I’ll pass the next theme just by escaping here alone, right?”

“That’s true. According to the second law of pathfinding, ridiculous temptations in a dungeon are usually traps. And who knows? That exit might lead to hell instead of a pass. I’ll stick with Hoon.” After Lodygin agreed, Capu nodded as well.

The other hunters also nodded one by one. They wouldn’t want to stand out when the majority had already sided, not to mention the intimidating aura of the Spear of Judgment. For now, we successfully passed the first hurdle.

But of course I couldn’t let my guard down. The moment even one person darted out, the crossbow barrage from those Aranballon soldiers would begin.

“Thank you for putting your trust in me.” I bowed my head slightly in the direction of where Zhang Wei stood.

“Well, since the treatments seem mostly done, shall we move slowly to search for the treasure? If there really is a national treasure, we should find it as soon as possible.”

“…Hmm, search through all of that?” Lodygin asked.

I nodded. “Yes. For now, we don’t really know what the ‘national treasure’ is. Think of it as trying to gather clues rather than actually finding it. It’ll make things easier.”

“Sounds good. It’s better than staying still at least.” He stood up and brushed the dust off his rear with his staff.

Thus, the peculiar march began. Everyone followed obediently, centering around me. I headed for the farthest area from the entrance. Getting too close to the entrance might make Olivia suddenly turn and dash out.

“Wow, this fortress sure is grand, huh? It’s incredibly spacious.” Lodygin stretched. “It’s really fascinating. I wonder how they built a structure like this. I mean, look at this place! There are no pillars, and you can’t even see the ceiling.”

“Exactly. Can you even call this a structure?”

“It’s like outer space. Those shimmering treasures look like stars,” Myoi commented with a smile.

“Stars, huh.” Lodygin chuckled. “What a sentimental young lady you are. Meanwhile, I’m walking on eggshells, worrying about when Olivia might suddenly bolt.”

“…”

Everyone was subtly conscious of Olivia.

The funny thing was she didn’t deny it. She just pretended to be unconscious, keeping her eyes closed.

Wow, at this point, should I reevaluate Kane? I inwardly clicked my tongue. How can he still be carrying her like that? Could he be a saint? Or a Buddha?

Anyway, after moving quite a distance, we finally arrived at a dazzling display of treasure.

[Arriving at Treasure Cache #314.]

[Check the treasure.]

The displayed treasure was an ornate sword encrusted with jewels. It was a weapon that clearly only nobles would use.

Could this be the national treasure? I wondered.

“I’ll check it first.” I grabbed the sword’s hilt and slowly lifted it.

[Item: Sword of the Ancient Aranballon Royal Family]

[Rank: S]

[Type: Sword]

[Description: A sword crafted by dwarves under the ancient Aranballon Kingdom for the royal knights.]

[Effect 1: Increases energy by 100.]

[Effect 2: Reduces skill cooldown by 10%.]

[Effect 3: Increases skill power by 150%.]

[Effect 4: Increases strength by 30.]

“Oh.”

It was an S-rank right from the start, and its stats were also quite impressive.

[This treasure is the ‘Sword of the Ancient Aranballon Royal Family’ (S-rank).]

[This treasure is not the ‘National Treasure.’]

I shared the status information with the team. They, too, murmured with astonished expressions.

“There are treasures like this scattered everywhere?”

“Is that even possible?”

“Is this a treasure vault? If we take everything here, won’t we all become filthy rich?”

“A fortuitous encounter indeed.”

“If only there weren’t limits to our subspace bags, we’d loot everything here.”

The team actively exchanged opinions.

I nodded.

They’re right.

They were, but I felt uneasy.

In my experience, whenever you gain something, you have to pay an equivalent price.

Just like how I had to endure immense pain every day since acquiring the Elder of All Techniques.

“For now. Take this.” I handed the sword to Capu. “Let’s keep it and explore the next area slowly.”

The distribution of treasure could wait until survival was ensured.

We continued exploring. The types of treasure were diverse.

[This treasure is ‘The Queen’s Bow’ (S-rank).]

[This treasure is not the ‘National Treasure.’]Nôv(el)B\\jnn

[This treasure is 30kg of sapphire.]

[This treasure is not the ‘National Treasure.’]

[This treasure is ‘Elixir’ (S-rank).]

[This treasure is not the ‘National Treasure.’]

…

Weapons were basic. From peculiar potions to variously shaped jewels, each of us carried at least three treasures as we continued to collect them.

“Kane! Run!”

Then suddenly Olivia and Kane began to sprint.

—Whoosh!

“Where do you think you’re going?”

The Spear of Judgment reacted like lightning—Lodygin and Olena, too. Everyone seemed to have anticipated it.

I knew it.

I, too, expected this. That was why I stationed Sunny and Eldrin at the edge of the circle.

“Still not satisfied with your beating?”

“Leave it to us, Master.”

Sunny and Eldrin each drew their weapons and blocked their path. The entire process unfolded in about three seconds with perfect preparation and precise responsiveness.

Or at least that was what I thought until Kane’s body started turning crimson.

“Huh?” My eyes widened.

“Wh-What?”

“What kind of power is this?”

—Whoosh!

An enormous pressure began to emanate from Kane’s body. It was far too much, even for an S-rank hunter. The overwhelming power was enough to make even the Spear of Judgment, Sunny, and Eldrin hesitate.

“N-No way?” Olena exclaimed. She was shocked. “Could that be self-destruction magic? How did they get their hands on a spell so dangerous it’s considered ‘banned’ even at Oxford…?!”

“What is that?” I asked.

“It’s an evil magic that detonates all of the victim’s energy in exchange for their life! Judging by the flow of mana, it seems Olivia initiated it!”

“Haah,” I sighed.

How could such a ridiculous and overpowered spell exist? Then could anyone just cast it and blow themselves up to become the strongest in the world?

Reading my thoughts, Olena shook her head. “The spell only activates when there’s absolute agreement between the caster and the victim. No one in their right mind would consent to such a spell. Unless it’s a loyalty contract or slave contract.”

“So then… Could it be?”

Did they sign a slave contract?

Now that I think about it.

Kane did seem unusually submissive around Olivia. I thought he was just kind-hearted or deeply infatuated, being a pushover.

Was he in a slave contract all along?

—Rumble!

“Ugh.” I frowned because the power emanating from Kane was growing stronger.

“Everyone, I’m sorry. No hard feelings.”

As Kane spoke…

—Kaboom!

A massive explosion akin to a bomb detonating into a microphone shook the area. The pressure lifted my body off the ground.

Holy shit.

Worse than that, everyone at the edge of the circle was blown out of bounds.

I knew this might happen.

This was an unpreventable natural disaster. It was akin to “systemic risk” in economics. No one could have guessed Kane would sacrifice his life to help Olivia.

—Screeech!

Simultaneously, a sound like scraping against a chalkboard filled the air.

“Fuck…”

At that moment, chills ran down my spine. All the statues of the Aranballon soldiers turned toward us.

—Clank, clank, clank…!

The continuous sound of crossbows being loaded was terrifying.

“Damn it! Everyone, get inside!” Lodygin shouted.

“Regroup and form a defensive line! We survive together!” the Spear of Judgment also gave orders.

—Tumble, tumble.

I rolled on the ground too, trying to regain my balance. Since the circle moved with me as its center, I had to position myself at the center of the group.

“…”

Through my vision, I saw Olivia fleeing desperately.

Damn it. Whatever, it didn’t matter. Even if she ‘passed’ alone to Theme 3, it didn’t matter.

Because I will survive and pass too. And then, once I survive, I’ll definitely pay her back. Just you wait.

I hardened my resolve.

Fortunately, the other team members had all made it into the circle.

“Huh?”

Or so I thought.

“James?” Olena stared ahead blankly, muttering.

Her gaze fell on the martial artist, James, who was running toward the exit, carrying as many treasures as he could.

“James, you crazy bastard! What are you doing? Get over here!” Capu shouted in disbelief, but James didn’t listen.

Frowning, Capu closed his eyes and began mumbling something. It was an utter mess.

“…Ha.”

I let out a small laugh. Not because it was funny but because it was all I could do. It seemed everyone got the drama they wanted, huh? Well, even so. I had expected it from the beginning, so it wasn’t a big mental blow.

“Everyone, focus for now!” I shouted.

—Swish, swish, swish!

For now, let’s deal with the hellish bolts flying at us from a distance.